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Salient Features of the Constitution — GK Questions with Answers

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14 questions
  1. India’s parliamentary system differs from Britain’s because India has
    1. a real and a nominal executive
    2. collective responsibility
    3. a bicameral legislature
    4. judicial review
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) judicial review

    The first three are shared with Britain; judicial review comes from the USA.

  2. The Constitution describes India as
    1. a federation of States
    2. quasi-federal
    3. a Union of States
    4. none of these
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) a Union of States

    Article 1 — “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.”

  3. In which respect is the Indian Constitution like that of the USA?
    1. Rule of law
    2. Fundamental Rights
    3. Directive Principles
    4. Rigid constitution
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) Fundamental Rights

    Rule of law is British; DPSP Irish; India is only partly rigid.

  4. India has a parliamentary system of government because (IAS 2015)
    1. the Lok Sabha is directly elected
    2. Parliament can amend the Constitution
    3. the Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved
    4. ministers are collectively answerable to the Lok Sabha
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) ministers are collectively answerable to the Lok Sabha

    Executive accountability to the House is the heart of the parliamentary form.

  5. A constitutional government is one which (IAS 2014): 1. puts effective limits on individual liberty for the sake of State authority 2. puts effective limits on State authority for the sake of individual liberty
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both
    4. Neither
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) 2 only

    Constitutionalism means limited government.

  6. Common features of a federal constitution: 1. Written and rigid constitution 2. Division of powers between Centre and States 3. Separation of powers between legislature and executive 4. Bicameral national legislature
    1. 2, 3 and 4
    2. 1, 3 and 4
    3. 1, 2 and 4
    4. All four
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) 1, 2 and 4

    Separation of legislature and executive is a presidential feature, not a federal one.

  7. What lies at the very core of parliamentary government?
    1. sovereignty of Parliament
    2. a written constitution
    3. the executive answering to the legislature
    4. an independent judiciary
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) the executive answering to the legislature

    Ministers stay in office only while they keep the confidence of the House.

  8. Which settles that the Indian Constitution is federal?
    1. A written, rigid constitution
    2. An independent judiciary
    3. Residuary powers with the Centre
    4. Division of powers between Centre and States
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) Division of powers between Centre and States

    Division of powers is the defining feature of any federation.

  9. The basic structure theory implies that
    1. certain features are so essential that they cannot be abrogated
    2. Fundamental Rights can never be abridged
    3. the Constitution can be amended only under Art 368
    4. the Preamble cannot be amended
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) certain features are so essential that they cannot be abrogated

    FRs can be abridged (not destroyed); the Preamble was amended in 1976.

  10. Which is an essential feature showing that Indian polity is federal? (IAS 2021)
    1. Independence of the judiciary is safeguarded
    2. Union legislature has elected members from the units
    3. Union Cabinet can include regional parties
    4. Fundamental Rights are enforceable in courts
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) Independence of the judiciary is safeguarded

    An independent umpire between Centre and States is a must for a federation.

  1. Which is correct? (IAS 2020) 1. The Constitution defines its basic structure in terms of federalism, secularism, FRs and democracy 2. The Constitution provides for judicial review to safeguard liberties
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both
    4. Neither
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) 2 only

    The basic structure is not defined anywhere in the text.

  2. The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that (IAS 2017)
    1. executive and legislature work independently
    2. it gives continuity of policy and efficiency
    3. the executive remains responsible to the legislature
    4. the head of government cannot change without an election
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) the executive remains responsible to the legislature

    A ministry that loses the Lok Sabha’s confidence must resign.

  3. Which is NOT a feature of Indian federalism? (IAS 2017)
    1. An independent judiciary
    2. Clear division of powers
    3. Unequal representation of States in the Rajya Sabha
    4. It results from an agreement among the units
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) It results from an agreement among the units

    India’s federation was not formed by an agreement, and States cannot secede.

  4. Which is correct? (IAS 2013) 1. An amendment bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha 2. An amendment changing the federal character must be ratified by all the States
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both
    4. Neither
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) Neither

    Either House can start it; half the States (not all) must ratify.

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